"Hungary" Hungary by Mitre

I first visited Hungary in 1993 on a school trip (along with Prague & Vienna). Budapest and Lake Balaton were our only stops. Remembering back then I can recall that it was a dull place, probably struggling with the post communist transition.

Little did I know that 9 years later I would be working there. I spent 10 months in Magyarorszag and have to say I enjoyed every minute of it. I was certainly wrong about the dull part.

I lived in Veszprem for 4 months and Szekesfehervar for 6. Both excellent towns which I will remember for a long time. My job took me to Varpalota & Dunaujvaros in the Western part of the country, Nyiregyhaza & Vasarosnameny in the North East and of course the bustling capital Budapest.

I would have loved to have seen more of this varied country but my work ended after 10 months. I certainly plan to return sometime in the future.

• Pros:Friendly people. Good value for money. Summer at Lake Balaton. Spring in Budapest. The excellent Red Wines.
• Cons:Cold winters. Crazy drivers. The baffling language.
• In a nutshell:Not as grey as I first thought